Managing medications at home |
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Giving medication effectively to our dogs
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Medication can get easier
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It can be really difficult to give our dogs their medication exactly as prescribed, especially if we have more than one dog and they are on more than one medication. I've found it very tricky when I've had dogs with complicated medication regimes, even more so when one refused all the usual methods of being given medication. I put this information together in case some of it is helpful to other people, but it is of course essential to check with your vet about the needs of your particular dog.
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I'm not alone in finding it challenging to give my dogs their medication perfectly. Research specifically about pet medication routines is surprisingly limited compared with the considerable amount of research involving humans. However, studies suggest that many people find medication routines with their pets difficult. For example, one study of dogs receiving short-term antibiotic treatment found that 56%–59% of owners administered the wrong number of doses per day, with most underdosing their pet. You can read more about this research here.
Every dog, medication and situation is different, dogs' preferences and needs can change over time, and people with more than one dog can find that dogs in the same household may need very different medication strategies.
I hope you'll find some practical tips and ideas here that help you plan, give and generally cope with your dog's medication more confidently and effectively. It is divided into six sections. Click on a section name below to go straight there:
1. Why it's tricky
2. Vets
3. Getting organised
4. Giving medication
5. Changes & challenges
6. Resources
One thing I've learned...
If something doesn't work straight away, it doesn't mean we're doing it wrong or that there isn't another approach to try. I've found that many medication techniques become easier with practice and experimentation. And when we're stuck, there are often other approaches to try and people who can help. These are covered in the Changes & Challenges section.
Every dog, medication and situation is different, dogs' preferences and needs can change over time, and people with more than one dog can find that dogs in the same household may need very different medication strategies.
I hope you'll find some practical tips and ideas here that help you plan, give and generally cope with your dog's medication more confidently and effectively. It is divided into six sections. Click on a section name below to go straight there:
1. Why it's tricky
2. Vets
3. Getting organised
4. Giving medication
5. Changes & challenges
6. Resources
One thing I've learned...
If something doesn't work straight away, it doesn't mean we're doing it wrong or that there isn't another approach to try. I've found that many medication techniques become easier with practice and experimentation. And when we're stuck, there are often other approaches to try and people who can help. These are covered in the Changes & Challenges section.
Survey
Many of the practical tips on this website come from my own experiences with BooBoo and Skippy, veterinary advice, and a survey of people with dogs about how they manage medications at home. You'll also find anonymous quotes from survey respondents throughout the site.
We're still collecting tips and comments and would love to hear about your own experiences. The survey is open until October 2026.
Take part in the survey.
Many of the practical tips on this website come from my own experiences with BooBoo and Skippy, veterinary advice, and a survey of people with dogs about how they manage medications at home. You'll also find anonymous quotes from survey respondents throughout the site.
We're still collecting tips and comments and would love to hear about your own experiences. The survey is open until October 2026.
Take part in the survey.
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Free downloads and other resources
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There are various downloadable resources, including medication charts and pet care notes. We'd love you to download, adapt and share them.
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